City announces $91M investment to revitalize 'dying' Far Rockaway

Disembarking from the A train in the beachside community of Far Rockaway, a visitor is first met with the site of the dilapidated Thriftway mall, a barren reminder of the former commercial glory of a neighborhood still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Sandy four years ago.

But Friday's announcement of a $91 million investment from the city might reverse the fate of the distant Queens peninsula.

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During a press conference along Mott Avenue, City Councilman Donovan Richards called the administration’s investment “historic,” saying it will “go a long way in providing economic justice to this community.”

“Downtown Far Rockaway once was a vibrant, commercial beachfront business district,” Richards said. “But disinvestments, lack of open space, lack of local employment, lack of infrastructure and poor pedestrian circulation created not only a recipe for disaster, but hopelessness in this community … I can promise you that the bounced checks of promises that were written out to this community in the past are long gone.”

The investment is intended to revitalize the downtown area by widening sidewalks and adding amenities such as benches and trees, replacing storefront signage and installing free public wi-fi. Money will also be used to expand community programming, connect local residents to job training and opportunities, including at nearby John F. Kennedy International Airport and build below-market housing.

These efforts will include rezoning, which requires the project to go through the city’s land use application process.

Richards said some aspects of the plan may be controversial, as “there may be questions around density,” but “as we go through this ... process, we’re going to be listening very closely, we’re going to be working with the commissioners, with City Hall to make sure that we deliver on as many things as we can that are possible doable.

“We are moving forward here. … And if there’s opposition to it, guess what, I’m prepared to live with that,” Richards said. “I would rather not be elected than to let this place remain the way that it is.”

Maria-Torres Springer, president of the city’s Economic Development Corporation, also spoke at Friday’s press conference, calling Far Rockaway “a neighborhood that has long deserved bold and decisive action.”

“There is so much potential in this area and we’re looking to build upon its unique combination of strengths and assets and make sure that those are really at the foundation of its economic revitalization,” Torres-Springer said, adding that up to 3,000 units of new housing could be built in Far Rockaway under the plan.

The Far Rockaway plan has been in development since 2015, and Torres-Springer said the city has been in touch with “over 200 people” at public info sessions during the planning phases.

A public information session will be held next month to introduce the new plan to local residents. After that, it will enter the city’s land use application process to approve changes to zoning in the low-density neighborhood.

“Our clear message is that we are not going to retreat and leave this place the way that it is,” Richards said, adding the city would fight to realize the redevelopment plan even if it is met with community opposition.

The speakers at Friday’s press conference, which also included City Planning Commission chairman Carl Weisbrod and Vicki Been, commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, praised Mayor Bill de Blasio’s and local elected officials.

“Forty years this district has been dying a slow, painful death,” said Jonathan Gaska, the district manager of the Queens Community Board. “Promises were made by administration after administration, none of them were kept. … Finally, finally, we have a mayor and some city agencies that are keeping their promise.”